Mali: TikToker Mariam Cissé killed by suspected jihadists
Young Malian influencer Mariam Cissé, followed by nearly 95,000 followers on TikTok, was cold-bloodedly executed by suspected jihadists on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Tonka, in the Timbuktu region. The young woman was known for her videos supporting the Malian army and celebrating her hometown.
SUMMARY
Mariam Cissé, a young TikToker in her twenties from northern Mali, was publicly murdered by armed men identified as suspected jihadists. The tragedy occurred at Tonka’s Independence Square, a locality about 100 kilometers from Timbuktu.
The day before, she was live on TikTok showing the weekly market in a nearby town, capturing everyday scenes, the river, the residents and the lively atmosphere of the local fairs. But her online activity, marked by an overt support for the Malian army, is said to have drawn the anger of extremist groups that partially control certain areas of the country’s north.
A public execution that shocks Mali
According to witnesses, the attackers intercepted her at the market before taking her out of town. The next day, they reportedly brought her back to the public square where she was executed in front of a terrified and helpless crowd. Having been recognized, the jihadists allegedly accused her of being an “enemy” because of her patriotic stances on social media.
Mariam Cissé was very popular on TikTok, where she mixed humor, social features and messages of encouragement for the armed forces. In several videos, she appeared wearing military attire, a symbol of her support for the national army.
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